The Fashion Industry Mourns The Passing Of Filipino Designer Pitoy Moreno

By patricia.melliza January 17, 2018

Asia’s Fashion Czar Pitoy Moreno passed away at the age of 87.

His grandson Paul Jason Cruz confirmed the news via a primetime newscast without further details on the exact cause of his death.

Moreno is known to be the earliest advocates of Maria Clara and he introduced the terms piña, jusi, and most especially, terno to the world. His works have been celebrated here and abroad, having been worn by local and international personalities. The late designer was featured in international print titles such as Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, to name a few.

He lived an illustrious career that lasted for five decades and he will be remembered as the first President of the Philippine Couture Association.

Rest In Peace Pitoy 🙏🏻.. Your greatness & legacy will continue to live forever in our hearts. I will never forget you & I was truly blessed that our lives have crossed. You have always been an integral part of my life. You were the first designer I modeled for & later on, you encouraged me to join Bb. Pilipinas were I wore your gown on coronation night. As I competed in the Miss Universe, you gave me the honor and privilege to wear your beautiful creation for the national costume presentation for the Miss Universe Pageant & eventually your creation won for the Philippines. We will miss your kindness, elegance and creative genius. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and I know up in heaven, they will soon have the grandest & most elegant fashion show fit for a Czar 🙏🏻 We will miss you Mang Pitoy & thank you for not only touching my life but the lives of many.. We love you. 🙏🏻#asia’sfashionczar #pitoymoreno
A post shared by Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach (@itsmecharleneg) on Jan 15, 2018 at 8:45pm PST

I remember vividly, as a child, I grew up waiting for his bridal sketches that would land on the pages of the national newspapers. Everytime I will encounter his works, I would drool over to see how he exquisitely created his bridal gowns. He is one of the people who somehow opened my eyes to the colorful world of fashion. He elevated the Filipino fabrics and the Filipiñiana to the global setting that lead to world recognition. He is a true vanguard of Filipino Fashion. Hail to the Fashion Czar of Asia ! Jose ” Pitoy ” Moreno. May you rest in peace. #pitoymoreno
A post shared by Jo Rubio (@jorubio_) on Jan 16, 2018 at 6:27am PST

Paying tribute to our dear Pitoy Moreno💖💖💖 My mom and i both in his creations! She of course.. a million times more glamorous 😍😍😍 Tito Pitoy designed my prom in 1991.. then i wore the same dress to the SONA in 2017.. My beautiful mother acknowledges that the tour to Europe with Pitoy in the 60s was the high point of her modeling days.. “for Pitoy wowed Europe and put the Philippines on the map. We were described as ‘exotica’ and were regarded highly. I was thrilled to be in the old world meeting new people, including royals” # RIP #pitoymoreno
A post shared by tootsyangara💖💖💖 (@tootsyangara) on Jan 15, 2018 at 3:41pm PST

Not sure I can name anyone that has done more to bring Filipino couture to an international stage than Pitoy Moreno. %€^* man. We gotta do better in progressing his life’s work and preserving Philippine fashion’s legacy. #RIPPitoy #PitoyMoreno
A post shared by Sarah Meier (@sarah_meier) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:21pm PST

Repost from @dawnzulueta #CountdownToOurLastSONA @AFLagdameo & I attended our first State Of The Nation Address in #2007 when he was elected Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative. My #terno by #PitoyMoreno #Filipiniana #WayBackWednesday #throwback #SONA2015
A post shared by Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo (@itsdawnzulueta) on Jul 22, 2015 at 3:39am PDT

49Years ago with Pitoy M when uso pa ang wholesomeness & and innocence.. haha 😘! Wonder if that was 👍or👎?#designer #beautyqueen #beautycontest TODAY MY DEAR FRIEND PITOY MORENO DIED! Imitated but never duplicated! ❤️💋👍
A post shared by Gloria Diaz (@its.gloriadiaz) on Jan 15, 2018 at 5:42pm PST
Words by Rain P. Dagala

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Pitoy Moreno?

According to the article, Pitoy Moreno, called Asia’s Fashion Czar, was a Filipino designer who passed away at age 87. It says he had a career that lasted five decades, was featured in international titles such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and was the first President of the Philippine Couture Association.

When and how was Pitoy Moreno’s death announced?

The article says his grandson, Paul Jason Cruz, confirmed the news through a primetime newscast. It doesn’t give the cause of death or further details. Tributes in the article are dated January 15 and 16, 2018, which suggests the news broke around January 15.

What is Pitoy Moreno known for?

The article says he is known as one of the earliest advocates of the Maria Clara dress and introduced the terms piña, jusi and, most especially, terno to the world. It says his works were worn by local and international personalities and celebrated in the Philippines and abroad.

What did Filipino celebrities say about Pitoy Moreno after his death?

The article embeds tributes from figures including Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach, Jo Rubio, Gloria Diaz, Sarah Meier and Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo. They describe him as a pioneer of Filipino couture who dressed them for pageants and events. The tributes appear in Instagram posts quoted in the article.

What is Pitoy Moreno’s role in Philippine pageants, according to the article?

The article includes Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach’s tribute, in which she says he was the first designer she modeled for and designed her Bb. Pilipinas coronation gown. She says his national costume creation won for the Philippines at Miss Universe. The article presents this as her account.